Airport Commission

Fitchburg Municipal Airport Commission Meeting Minutes September 26 2018 PLACE: Terminal Building METTING TIME: 6:00PM Attendees: Airport Commissioners: Vice Chairman Peter Kettle, Secretary Clayton Raymond, Commissioners Richard Liberatore, Airport Manager Scott Ellis Mayor DiNatale (Chair Naylor was absent) Others in attendants include: Assistant Solicitor Christine Tree, Airport Assistant Deb Silvar, Nicholas Ippolito, P.E. of Gale Associates, Inc and Mary Jo Bohart Director of Economic Development 1. Meeting Protocol Meeting called to order  Vice Chair Kettle introduced the commission members in attendance.  Vice Chair Kettle motioned request to record audio (granted) and approved Commissioner Raymond and Comm. Kettle request to record audio.  Vice Chair Kettle motion to dispense with reading for the public opportunity to speak Motion Comm. Raymond 2nd Comm. Liberatore 18- 09-01 Vote 3-0 2. Previous month’s minutes to include special meeting minutes as required Motion to accept August previous month’s minutes as recorded, motion Vice Chair Kettle 2nd Comm. Liberatore 18-09-02 Vote 3-0 Mayor Dinatale stated would like to see a system of archiving the meeting minutes and would like better timely updates of the approved airport meeting minutes to the city website. 3. Correspondence to the Commission None to report None to report 4. Project review-Gale Project Review-Gale Associates, Inc Nicholas Ippolito,P.E. There are five (5) projects that Gale Associates, Inc. (Gale) is administering on behalf of the Fitchburg Airport Commission. They are:  Runway 14 End Obstruction Removal and Aeronautical Survey (Off Airport Property) AIP No. 3-25-0018-25-2015 Project Description: This project is an obstruction removal project to clear obstructions identified on nine (9) off-airport properties in the Runway 14 approach surface, and to complete an Aeronautical Survey. Project Cost: FAA Share: $ 675,000.00 (90.0%) State Share: $ 37,500.00 ( 5.0%) Local Share: $ 37,500.00 ( 5.0%)  Total Cost: $ 750,000.00 (100%) Project Status:  Gale has been working with Col-East to complete the AGIS Upload this week. Col-East has requested some additional information from Gale that is being prepared right now and will be submitted to Col-East for inclusion in the AGIS Upload.  Once this upload is completed, the Project can be closed out. Actions Required by the Airport this Month:  None.  Runway 32 End Obstruction Removal (Off Airport Property) AIP No. 3-25- 0018-26-2017 Project Description: This project is an obstruction removal project to clear obstructions identified on up to twenty-seven (27) off-airport properties in the Runway 32 approach surface in the City of Leominster. One (1) property is partially in the City of Fitchburg. Estimated Project Cost: FAA Share: $ 1,156,500.00 (90.0%) State Share: $ 64,250.00 ( 5.0%) Local Share: $ 64,250.00 ( 5.0%) Total Cost: $ 1,285,000.00 (100% Project Status:  Contract No. 3: Work to modify the roof of an existing structure (Contract No. 3) is completed.  Contract No. 1: All tree work is thought to be completed at this time. Gale conducted a site walk with the Contractor to determine what the final clearing areas are. There has been some confusion about some additional clearing work that took place during clearing operations. The area of clearing does not match the invoiced amount from the Contractor. The results of this site walk will be reported to the Commission when known.  Contract No. 1: Gale is working with the Airport to use the newly acquired disc cutter to clear Japanese Knotweed from the proposed Runway 32 approach as well as some lingering vegetation across the river that may still be an obstruction to the proposed approach surface. Once this is complete, Gale’s survey sub will perform an approach verification survey on the Runway 32 end. This will be scheduled upon notification that the knotweed has been removed.   Contract No. 2: KOBO Utility performed some preliminary earthwork in the work area to install underground conduits for the new electrical service to the Obstruction Lights. At this time, KOBO is still awaiting utility account setup, which Gale is working on with National Grid. National Grid has expressed some concerns about providing a second service to the same building. Gale is working with National Grid, the City of Leominster Fire Marshall, and the City of Leominster Wire Inspector to gain approvals needed for National Grid to install the new service. Actions Required by the Airport this Month:  Please notify Gale when the Knotweeds have been removed from the Runway 32 end. (both sides of the river)  Runway 14-32 and Parallel Taxiway Permitting and Preliminary Design – AIP No. 3-25-0018-27-2018 (Pending) Project Description: This project is to collect survey and soil information, conduct preliminary design efforts, and obtain local permits for the Runway 14-32 and Parallel Taxiway reconstruction. Estimated Project Cost: FAA Share: $ 589,500.00 (90.0%) State Share: $ 32,750.00 (5.0%) Local Share: $ 32,750.00 (5.0%) Total Cost: $ 655,000.00 (100%) Project Status:  Gale has completed the Permitting Plans for the runway design and has also completed the Stormwater Management Report. The full Permitting Package has been sent to Steve Riberdy at GZA   During the Fitchburg Conservation Commission (FCC) hearing on th Tuesday, August 28 2018 the project was presented to the FCC and discussions regarding the riverbank impacts were the biggest concern for the FCC. To alleviate their concerns, Gale and GZA will conduct a site walk with the FCC to review the proposed runway end location, and limits of work. Prior to this site walk, the Japanese Knotweed located on the Runway 32 end must be cleared to allow Gale to lay out the limits of work, and new Runway end.  Delivery of the Airport’s Compact Track Loader did not occur prior to the September FCC Meeting, and for this reason the continuation of th the NOI hearing will be postponed until October 30 , 2018. At this meeting it is expected that NOI Approval will be obtained. (Pending Mass DEP Comments being received with enough time to respond and make any revisions necessary). Actions Required by the Airport this Month:  Please notify Gale when the Japanese Knotweed has been removed from the Runway 32 Approach. Action Scott Ellis Notify Gale Done as of today.  Purchase Compact Track Loader and Attachments – ASMP No. TBD Project Description: This project is to purchase a new compact track loader (Bobcat T770, or equivalent) and various attachments for use around the Airport. This equipment was offered to the Airport at an 80% MassDOT funding level. Equipment will be purchased using the FAC88 State Contract, which requires only minimal specifications, and a minimum of three (3) quotes from pre-approved vendors. The equipment must be delivered to the Airport no later than June 30, 2018 as a condition of the MassDOT grant. Estimated Project Cost: FAA Share: $ 0.00 (0.0%) State Share: $ 103,200.00 (80.0%) Local Share: $ 25,800.00 (20.0%) Total Cost: $ 129,000.00 (100%) Project Status:  The equipment has been delivered to the Airport, however, two attachements are still awaiting delivery (Box Pusher and Snow Blower). Once these attachments have been delivered, Gale will process final reimbursement and project closeout documents. Actions Required by the Airport this Month:  Please notify Gale upon receipt of the remaining attachments. Action Scott Ellis Notify Gale  Runway 14-32 Final Design and Construction – AIP No. TBD Project Description: This project will include the 95% and Bid Set Documents necessary to allow competitive bidding of the Runway 14-32 Reconstruction Project. This project will also include Bidding and Construction Phase Services for the new Runway 14-32. Estimated Project Cost: FAA Share: $ TBD (90.0%) State Share: $ TBD (5.0%) Local Share: $ TBD (5.0%) Total Cost: $ TBD (100%) Project Status:  A Scoping Meeting was conducted with Commissioner Kettle, and Mr. Scott Ellis, the Airport Manager at MassDOT’s Offices on Tuesday, th September 4 , 2018. Based on the results of this meeting, Gale is preparing a draft Scope of Work for review and approval of the Airport Commission.  Once a finalized Scope of Work is approved by all parties, Gale will circulate Contracts for execution and begin final design efforts.  Other Items:  Gale has been working with Debbie from the Airport to bolster the Request packages for the Supplemental Appropriations Grant Program for 100% Funding of the Airport’s Runway project. These request forms st are due to FAA by October 31 , 2018. Gale will prepare and send these forms on behalf of the Airport at no cost.  It appears as though the City Council has approved the Grant Offer for the Runway Preliminary Design and Permitting project. However, they are still waiting on a Grant Offer from MassDOT Prior to signing Gale’s Contract for the work. Gale coordinated with MassDOT to determine when the State portion would be granted. Based on this coordination, it appears as though the grant offer for the MassDOT portion of the grant was sent on September 25, 2018. Once this offer package is executed and returned to MassDOT, Gale will prepare the first Reimbursement Request for this project.  nd  Vice Chair Kettle motion to approve Gales project review 2 Comm. Liberatore 18-09-03 Vote 3-0 5. New Business A. Twin City Airmotive Building Expansion Ken Maclean (co-owner of Twin City Airmotive) is interested in expanding his current building footprint Ken has asked the commission if they are in favor of an expansion and has asked for direction as to how to precede with his plan. The commission is in favor of an expansion. The commission is asking for a basic sketch or plan for his expansion. Ken is in the very early stage of this process and will approach the commission again in the future. Christine Tree noted financial impacts to the city such as moving roads or gates would have to be reimbursed to the city. Action Ken will provide drawings Assistant Solicitor Christine Tree stated that a long term lease will need to be secured to include the entire facility. B. Airport Business Exterior aircraft storage Scott Ellis has reviewed the outside tie down agreements for leases at the airport. C. Bullock Charter Vice Chair Kettle would like Bullock to pay down their dept. The commission instructed Scott Ellis to have conversation to pay down some old fuel dept. in-line with other tenants with outstanding dept. (Note Mr. Bullock has been paying down the fuel dept but the commission would like to increase the payments) Action Scott Ellis to have a conversation with Mr. Bullock to discuss payment schedule. 6. Old Business A. Self serve fuel facility and Fuel supplier Grant application has been requested. See other items in Gales project review listed above. Open item from last month’s meeting should know the outcome of the request sometime in February of 2019 No update this month B. Autumn Air Services Update and Payments/payment plan Scott Ellis sent a request for payment via E-Mail there has been no response; Action Scott Ellis Scott will send a request for payment with a registered letter via US Mail C. Twin City Airmotive Update and Payments/payment plan Payments for arrears are now paid in full D. City Council presentation- November 2018 a. City Economic development strategy Mary Jo Bohart introduced herself (Director of economic development for the city of Fitchburg) to the commission: Mary Jo stated an economic development strategy plan has been developed. The plan was developed by community leaders to include business leaders in the city. The plan is  best used as a guide to create cohesive plan to develop the entire north central area, to include the City of Fitchburg. Many of the aspects of the Airports economic impact to the area are mentioned in the draft. A draft is currently available for the commission to review Mary Jo will provide the commission with an electronic copy. 7. Financial review Scott Ellis provided reports for the commission to review. Fuel and rents were separated. Scott Ellis: states fuel sales up slightly due to the reintroduction of the night instrument approach being turned on. This is a good sign as the airport begins its expansion plan for the extended run-way. 8. Subcommittee reports FACT Lease Assistant attorney Christine Tree stated the FACT lease is complete Christine Tree is of the understanding the lease is complete and is not to be modified. The chair has signed the lease and it is complete it is the commissions position that the lease is complete and final Action Curt Hoffman will report this message to the FACT attorney. FCA Lease report Vice Chair Kettle states in progress nothing to report 9. Managers operation report` Scott Ellis: Young Eagles event was well attended Scott Ellis: mentioned local pilots have flown missions for relief efforts for the recent hurricane and would like to publicly thank them. 10. Next Regular Airport Meting October 24 2018 6PM 11. Executive session Not required None  Motion to adjourn Comm. Liberatore seconded Comm. Liberatore 18-09-04  Executive session: No  Conclusion 7:23  Recording secretary Clayton Raymond